Austin firefighters free raccoon trapped in tree hollow
A ladder and hydraulic spreader freed the raccoon after a 911 call, and firefighters later said it was alive and unharmed.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
Austin firefighters rescued a raccoon found high in a tree with its head wedged in a hollow, in an austin raccoon tree rescue that began when a neighbor called 911.
The Austin Firefighters Association said a firefighter climbed a ladder to reach the animal and used a hydraulic spreader, described in coverage as a Jaws of Life-type tool, to widen the opening. The raccoon was then able to pull its head free, according to UPI.
Was the raccoon alive after firefighters freed it?
Yes. Video of the rescue left some viewers worried because the raccoon appeared limp as crews brought it down from the tree, according to Parade's report, republished by AOL.
In a follow-up post, the Austin Firefighters Association said the animal was alive and unharmed. The group said firefighters used a catch pole to lower the raccoon after freeing it.
The association said the raccoon was handed to Animal Control. It did not give further details about what happened after that handoff.
How did firefighters get the raccoon out?
Crews used a ladder to reach the raccoon and a hydraulic spreader to enlarge the tree hollow around its trapped head, the association said. Reports from UPI, ABC7NY and other outlets described the equipment as a Jaws of Life-type tool.
The rescue footage was shared by the Austin Firefighters Association on Instagram. Its later update addressed the concern raised by the animal's still appearance in the video: the raccoon was OK, the association said.
This story draws on original reporting from UPI.